BackgroundCystatin C has been known to be associated not only with early renal impairment but also with the incidence of diabetic conditions (prediabetes plus diabetes). However, it is not clear whether cystatin C levels are associated with the prevalence of diabetic conditions in Asian populations. We evaluated this association using glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels as the definition of diabetes in Korean adults.MethodsWe analyzed data from 1,559 Korean adults (937 men and 622 women) with available serum cystatin C and HbA1c values.ResultsThe serum cystatin C levels in subjects with prediabetes and diabetes were significantly increased (0.91±0.14 mg/L in prediabetes and 0.91±0.17 mg/L in diabetes vs. 0.88±0.13 mg/L in patients with normal glucose levels, P=0.001). At increasing cystatin C levels, the prevalence of subjects with prediabetes (30.2% vs. 14.6%, P<0.001) and those with diabetes (10.6% vs. 8.0%, P<0.001) significantly increased in the group with the highest cystatin C levels. The group with the highest cystatin C levels had a significantly increased odds ratio (OR) for the presence of diabetic conditions compared to the group with the lowest values in total subjects (OR, 2.35; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.54 to 3.58; P<0.001) and in women (OR, 4.13; 95% CI, 1.97 to 8.65; P<0.001), though there was no significant increase after adjusting for multiple variables.ConclusionsHigher levels of serum cystatin C are associated with an increased prevalence of diabetic conditions in Korean adults. Our findings may extend the positive association of cystatin C with diabetes incidence to an Asian population.

No abstract

Renal tubular acidosis (RTA) is a metabolic acidosis caused by impaired excretion of hydrogen ions or reabsorption of bicarbonate. Disorders caused by impairment of bicarbonate reabsorption in the proximal tubule are classified as proximal RTA, whereas those resulting from impairment of hydrogen ion secretion at the distal tubule are called distal RTA. The most common causes of distal renal tubular acidosis in adults are autoimmune disorders including Sjögren syndrome, systemic lupus erythematosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and autoimmune thyroiditis. Of the thyroiditis states, Graves' disease-associated RTA is a rare disease. We experienced and managed one case of hypokalemic muscle weakness associated with Graves' disease and distal renal tubular acidosis.

No abstract

<p>Klinefelter' syndrome is a disorder of sexual differentiation in males, characterized by the presence of two or more X-chromosomes, hypogonadism, and lack of secondary sexual characteristics. The association between Klinefelter' syndrome and glomerulonephritis has been reported, while cases of glomerulonephritis associated with Klinefelter' syndrome are rare. We report the Korean case: a 31-year-old man with Klinefelter' syndrome who developed glomerulonephritis. The patient's urine analysis shows microscopic hematuria and the result of kidney biopsy was minimal change disease. The onset and course of his disease might have been influenced by the sex hormone imbalance.</p>